Aviva Ability Counts College tournament
Under leaden skies and the glare of the floodlights Danny Nobbs Paralympian and Aviva Commercial Sponsorship Consultant opened the Aviva Ability Counts College tournament held at FITC'S Carrow Park.
During his welcome Danny told the players: "I had the honour to represent my country at the Paralympics, this is your opportunity to represent your colleges and shine, but above all enjoy yourselves".
The hotly contested tournament, saw over 80 players, aged 16-19 with varying disabilities from five Norfolk colleges competing in a champions league style competition.
Competing colleges
- City College, Norwich.
- Easton College.
- The College of Further Education, Great Yarmouth.
- West AngliaCollege, King's Lynn.
- West Anglia College, Norwich.
The purpose of the season long tournament is to give players with disabilities the opportunity to play competitive football against players of a similar standard, increase participation, self-confidence and overall physical fitness of the players.
Run across five dates over the season the tournament is split into two leagues: Championship and Premiership. Currently City College are top of the Championship, whilst Easton College and City College are on equal points at top of the premiership.
Simon Allen a Learning Support Assistant from City College Norwich said: "The tournament is great for morale, team building and helping to prepare my students for a potential career in sport. My students love the idea of playing against rival colleges".
During the course of the tournament Norwich City FC Chief Executive David McNally visited the tournament to lend his support and meet the players.
Norwich City Chief Executive David McNally said: "Today was my first experience of the Aviva Ability Counts Week at the Football Club and what I saw was an excellent opportunity for young people to get involved with sport and Football in the Community here at Norwich City, and hope that all those that took part in the tournament today had a great day. "It has a vital part to play in the community, encouraging more people with disability to get involved with the Club and our Ability Counts activities and services. I hope this week's events are a continued success and would like to congratulate all those involved in organising them at Carrow Road and thank Aviva for their continued support of this annual initiative."
The third round of the tournament will be held on February 3rd, 2010.
Further coverage of the tournament can be viewed at: http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED02%20Dec%202009%2018%3A09%3A29%3A387
For further information on the Aviva Ability Counts programmes then please contact Laurence York FITC Assistant Disability Officer on 01603 761122 or email [email protected]
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